Seventy five delegates representing Bangladesh, India, Srilanka and Thailand gathered together for the [LWF Women in Church and Society (WICAS) ] South Asian Lutheran Women’s Conference held in Chennai between 24 and 26 November 2008. The theme for the conference was “Witnessing to Christ in hostility”. The different sessions include, - Gender Ethics & Visibility of Women in Church and Society - Breaking Barriers in addressing HIV /AIDS & Gender Based Violence with special focus on stigma and discrimination - Biblical hermeneutics from women’s perspectives - Churches’ response to Climate change - Legal framework to assert women’s rights as Human Rights - Holistic Approach to Women’s Health Care - Cultural Violence Against Women – Victimization to full human hood Participants had the privilege to receive valuable inputs from the rich experienced resource team. The discussions centered on Christians’ witness in varied difficult situations in South Asia. Concerns were raised about growing religious fundamentalism, peoples’ intolerance leading to communal violence, terrorism, climate change & natural disaster and women ordination. The keynote speaker focused on the time for public leadership, time for public witness and time for public deliberation. Participants recommitted themselves to continue to build awareness on varied issues in the local congregations. Concrete action plans were drawn by the church women. We hope and pray that their plans would be implemented in the congregations for God’s glory. We are happy to share that the Regional Coordination of WICAS – LWF / DMD for South Asia has been passed on to Bangladesh from India. Congratulations to Ms. Dipti Rani Bormon from Bangladesh Lutheran Church who succeeded Ms Vidhya Rani from UELCI, Chennai, India. We wish her God’s blessings for this new responsibility. .....

A Consultation Cum Workshop on ‘Micro Credit Initiatives’ was organized in Chennai from 4th to 6th April 2006. One hundred participants representing the local congregations from ten member Churches of UELCI participated. Inaugural address was delivered by Dr. K. Rajaratnam, Director, Gurukul and Valedictory address by Smt. Suvarna Rani Gandham, Former I.A.S, Director, Maanaveeya Holdings (P) Ltd., India Region, Oikocredit. The keynote address was on “Globalization and creating inclusive financial services to the poor”. The reachability of Self-reliance from women’s perspective and local resource mobilization were some of the issues dealt during the workshop. The different sessions of the workshop (conducted in regional languages) included Introduction, Biblical validation of Micro Enterprise Development, Starting Saving and Credit groups, and Choosing a Village or Area. The participants expressed their interest for such initiative and to start self-help groups in their respective congregations. .....

“Women in Decision Making” was the title under which the Slum Women Advancement Programme (SWAP), Chennai organized a Women’s Day Programme to commemorate World Women’s Day on March 25, 2006 in P. J. Gupta High School, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Ambatur, Chennai.
Ms. Vidya Rani, Secretary, Women’s Desk, UELCI in her speech stressed that women, in any case, must never loose their rights. She emphasized that women are blessed with intellect, management skills and talents and they must make use of them in all matters of decision-making, starting from their respective families. She further added that the decision taken by them must always focus on growth. The importance of education in one’s life especially for girls, without gender bias, was highlighted. She encouraged women to challenge the old traditions that our society is still clinging on. Mr. D. Ramamurthy, Ms. Vembu and Mr. Karthik thanked SWAP for their rejuvenating activities in the slums. Children and women of that area performed various cultural programmes. The programme ended, on a good note that women must be equal partners in decision-making. .....